Chris Drury said the Rangers have to play better at the beginning of games. Coach Tom Renney said the team has to show it can rebound from a rout.

These were some of the assessments after the Rangers’ ugly 6-3 loss to the Canucks Wednesday night at the Garden.

It was a game in which the Rangers fell behind 2-0 after one period and 4-0 a little more than two minutes into the second. It was the Rangers’ first loss in four games.

“The big thing will be how do we respond to it? I think that’s a wonderful opportunity that we’re mature enough as a team to take it for what it is,” Renney said. “It almost camouflages some of the bad things you’ve done when you win. So when you do get your lunch handed to you, it’s pretty black and white.”

When it comes to the Rangers’ early game struggles, there is no gray area. The past six first periods? Opponents 6, Rangers 0.

“Certainly our starts need to be tidied up,” Drury said.

So does the Rangers’ tendency to allow short-handed goals. Last year they gave up five in an entire season. So far, they’re obliterating that pace – already at an NHL-worst seven.

“You don’t want to lead the league in that category,” Drury said.

The Rangers will practice today before facing the Senators in Ottawa tomorrow.